Moldova reaffirms its commitment to cooperation with Ukraine in the spirit of cultural solidarity. Moldova’s Culture Minister, Sergiu Prodan, and his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykola Tochytckyi, discussed the critical state of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, which has suffered significant damage from Russia’s war.
According to Tochytckyi, Russian military aggression has caused widespread destruction to Ukraine’s cultural heritage. He assessed the damage to cultural sites and emphasized the need for international cooperation to preserve Ukraine’s national identity and cultural values.
Minister Sergiu Prodan expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and reiterated Moldova’s dedication to protecting cultural heritage during these challenging times. He highlighted Moldova’s unprecedented openness to Ukrainian artists, noting that many have been employed in cultural institutions in Moldova and continue to create successfully.
FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
Tochytckyi invited Prodan to attend the Meeting of Culture Ministers from Partner States on the Protection of Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage and National Identity, scheduled for January 31 to February 2, 2025, in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. The event will serve as a key platform to consolidate regional and international efforts to safeguard cultural heritage affected by the war. It will also facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices in this critical sector.
A similar forum in Lviv during the summer of 2022 prompted Moldova to declare 2023 the Year of Ukrainian Culture. Throughout the year, numerous events supported and celebrated the resilience of Ukrainians impacted by the war.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, over 1,000 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine have been destroyed. Among these, 457 are UNESCO-protected sites. In addition to bombardments, so-called “restorations” by Russian forces have irreversibly altered the historical authenticity of many buildings, according to The Kyiv Independent.